Jamaica: Mom in suspected suicide, tried to poison 3 year-old son

(Jamaica Observer) A St Mary woman is believed to have committed suicide and is said to have seriously injured her three-year-old son before committing the act.

Police sources have identified the woman as 30-year-old Racquel Sommerville of Orange Field in Castleton. The child’s name is being withheld.

Reports are that Sommerville contacted the child’s father, stating that she felt like killing herself. The woman then reportedly ended the call.

Jamaica Observer North & East sources said the woman is believed to have ingested a poisonous substance before giving the child the same substance to drink.

A neighbour was contacted and asked to check on the two after the child’s father was unable to get back in contact with Sommerville.

Both the woman and child were observed vomiting when the neighbour made checks. The police were called and the two were rushed to hospital.

Sommerville was pronounced dead while the child was admitted in critical condition.